A Hog on Ice, and Other Curious ExpressionsA lexicographer compiles data on the origins and meanings of a treasury of more than four hundred curious sayings and expressions, from "letting the cat out of the bag" to "going on a wild-goose chase." |
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Common terms and phrases
actually Aesop's fables allusion amen corner American expression ancient Annie Oakley appears ball became British Bronx cheer bull called centuries ago cock course custom dates back Dictionary Dutch earlier earliest early eighteenth century England English especially Exchange Alley explanation fable feather figurative meaning figurative sense French goes back goose H. L. Mencken haywire heard Hence hog on ice horse hundred years ago John John Wyclif Kelly pool Kid McCoy king known lame duck later Latin least literal meaning literary meant modern nineteenth century one's origin perhaps person phrase play player popular probably Procrustes proverb punishment record reference rope Sam Slick saying seems seized seventeenth century Shakespeare sixteenth century slang soldier someone song Spanish dollar speech sport story teeth temse term thing thought thumb tion town turn tury usage usually word writer young